Pete Hegseth faces impeachment pressure from Republican lawmaker over military action against Iran without congressional approval | Today’s news
Republican US Representative Thomas Massie on Tuesday (September 15th) filed an impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of abusing his office by conducting hostilities against Iran without congressional approval.
The move is unlikely to pass, but could force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, putting pressure on other Republicans preparing to return home ahead of the November election.
Massie, a Kentucky Republican and critic of the Iran war and US support for Israel, filed the articles of impeachment as privileged. According to parliamentary rules, the chamber must adopt privileged resolutions within two legislative days.
The Pentagon supports Hegseth
The Pentagon denied the allegations and defended Hegseth’s leadership.
“The entire department is united behind the secretary’s vision and will continue to work to put our warfighters and America first,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said in an emailed statement, according to Reuters.
Massie has repeatedly opposed President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, which began after the February 28 attacks by the US and Israel. Members of Congress, primarily Democrats, have repeatedly supported resolutions that seek to require congressional approval for continued US military action.
However, these efforts did not lead to an end to hostilities.
He defeated Massie in the Republican primary
Massie’s impeachment drive comes as he prepares to leave Congress. He is not seeking re-election after losing in the Republican primary in May to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who was endorsed by Trump and received significant support from pro-Israel groups.
Massie drew Trump’s ire after leading a push to release Justice Department documents linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Kentucky Republican’s opposition to the Iran war has also made him an increasingly prominent critic of Trump’s foreign policy within the Republican Party.
Iran war creates political pressure
The conflict has become politically challenging for Republicans ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Opinion polls suggest the war is unpopular with voters, while oil disruptions have pushed up fuel prices and increased pressure on American households.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed Democrats leading Republicans 44% to 37% of voters who prefer control of Congress.
According to a poll cited by Reuters, Trump’s approval rating has also fallen since the outbreak of the war.
With the House and Senate under Republican control, Massie’s impeachment resolution is unlikely to remove Hegseth. But forcing lawmakers to take a position on the defense secretary and the Iran war could create a politically difficult vote for Republicans facing voters in November.
